Build Mesabi. Build Itasca! Day at the Capitol underscored the economic impact and statewide importance of Mesabi Metallics
[NASHWAUK, MN] – Dozens of local leaders, elected officials, union representatives and community advocates from across the Iron Range gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol this week for the Build Mesabi. Build Itasca! Day at the Capitol to advocate for the advancement of the Mesabi Metallics project in Nashwauk.
Participants traveled from communities across the region to highlight the project’s critical role in strengthening Minnesota’s economy, creating long-term, family-sustaining jobs and supporting domestic supply chains for American steel.
Throughout the day, the group met with representatives from the Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan; Secretary of State Steve Simon; and legislative leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson and Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth, to discuss the importance of ensuring responsible and timely development of mineral resources on the Iron Range.
“I’m grateful to all the advocates from across the Range who traveled to the State Capitol to meet with us,” said Senator Robert Farnsworth. “Mesabi Metallics represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs, generate revenue for our schools and communities and ensure that our natural resources are put to work for the people of Minnesota. We will continue to fight for the Range in Saint Paul.”
“I appreciated the opportunity to meet with these advocates and hear directly from Iron Range leaders about the importance of Mesabi Metallics to their communities,” said Secretary of State Steve Simon. “Engagement like this is critical to ensuring thoughtful decision-making that reflects the needs of Minnesotans.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet with these Iron Range advocates for the Mesabi Metallics project,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson. “Their message is clear—projects like Mesabi Metallics are critical to supporting jobs, strengthening local economies and ensuring a strong future for mining in Minnesota. It’s important that we continue to listen and work toward outcomes that deliver long-term benefits for the state and the region.”
“Thank you to the advocates who took the time to come to St. Paul and share their perspectives,” said Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth. “Hearing directly from local leaders reinforces just how important projects like Mesabi Metallics are to jobs, communities and the future of the Iron Range.”
“I’m grateful to have met with these community leaders and advocates,” said Senator Grant Hauschild. “Their voices are critical as we think about how to support long-term economic opportunity and responsible development in our region. Projects like Mesabi Metallics represent a significant opportunity to deliver jobs and lasting economic impact for the Iron Range.”
“It was so great to meet with the Mesabi Metallics team and industry leaders from the Range at the Capitol,” said Senator Keri Heintzeman. “What they’re building is one of the largest private investments in our state’s history, and the jobs and economic growth will be felt across all of Minnesota. I’m fully behind this project.”
“Thank you to everyone who came to St. Paul to advocate for our Range communities,” said Representative Cal Warwas. “I’ve long supported the Mesabi Metallics project because I’ve seen what it means for the Iron Range—good-paying jobs, strong communities and a real future for our region. As a Steelworker in his 30th year working in the iron mining industry, I appreciate the Mesabi project being built out for the next several generations of Rangers. Obviously, this kind of development is deeply personal to me. Hearing directly from local leaders and workers only reinforces how important it is that we keep moving this project to completion.”
“On behalf of our schools, our students and our entire communities, this project represents real opportunity,” said leader of Build Mesabi. Build Itasca! and Nashwauk-Keewatin School Board Vice Chair Barb Kalmi. “We are grateful to the elected officials who took the time to meet with us and listen to our perspectives. The revenue generated supports classrooms, teachers and the future of our kids. This is about investing in the next generation and supporting the Range for decades to come.”
“This project is about the future of Nashwauk and communities like ours across the Iron Range,” said leader of Build Mesabi. Build Itasca! and Nashwauk Mayor Greg Heyblom. “We appreciate the time and attention from elected leaders—it matters to our communities. We see the progress on the ground every day, and we know what it means for jobs, families and long-term stability.”
“Projects of this scale don’t happen without the support of stakeholders across every level—local leaders, labor partners, community advocates and our elected officials,” said Joe Broking, President and CEO of Mesabi Metallics. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to advocate for Mesabi and to our statewide leaders for listening and engaging on the future of this project. The momentum at Mesabi Metallics continues to build—we have more than 800 construction workers and more than 1,000 workers in total on site today, and we are ramping up hiring this spring as we move closer to operations. We are moving forward every day, and we’re proud to be building something that will deliver lasting value for the Iron Range and for Minnesota.”
Mesabi Metallics is constructing a $2.5 billion world-scale Direct Reduction (DR) grade iron ore mine and pellet plant in Nashwauk, Minnesota—set to become one of the most advanced and sustainable mining operations in North America.
As the project advances toward operations, it is expected to create hundreds of full-time jobs and generate significant long-term economic benefits for the region and the state.
